Bark removing machine



A ril 3, 1934. t M SHARKEY BARK REMOVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1932 4Sheets-Sheet l April 3, 1934. M. SHARKEY BARK REMOVING MACHINE Inventor1/14 afirm/ d /far rgj A ril 3, 1934.

Filed Jan.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 \H Q 0 k v 7/ m Invenior agar/:07 Jfiar/re/c pwm lApril 3, 1934. SHARKEY 1,953,194

BARK REMOVING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I m: en forflzmaai ih flllorney Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEClaims.

This invention relates to mechanical means for removing bark from logsand particularly to mechanical means for removing the bark from logblocks which are to be cut up to make veneering, and an important objectof my invention is to provide mechanical means of type which makes useof the force of gravity well as of mechanical force in operating uponthe logs, and which is simple and inexpensive in construction, and veryeconomical to operate and maintain.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from a readingof the following description and the drawings, wherein for purposes ofillustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention. i

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the aforesaid embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the gate equipped discharge endof the embodiment.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the embodimentillustrating the construction and relation of parts.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the conveyor.

Figure 5 is a perspectitve view illustrating in detail the constructionof the impact dogs.

As seen in Figure 3, the embodiment comprises the machine 5 disposed ina pit designated by the numeral 6. On the ground Get at one side of thepit 6 is the loading platform '7 from which the blocks or logs arerolled into the machine to have the bark removed therefrom. In thedrawings is shown one of the blocks or logs 8 which has been heated andsteamed according to the practice in veneer factories before it isintroduced into the machine 5 to have the bark removed therefrom.

The machine 5 comprises a suitable frame structure which includesvertical corner posts 9 arranged in pairs at opposite ends of the pit,end cross members 10 and longitudinal side members These parts arepreferably in the form of suitably proportioned I-beams. The end crossmembers 10 support therethrough the longitudinal disposed rotary shaft12 on the right hand end portion of which is fixed large driven gear H13. The portion of the shaft 12 which projects beyond the gear 13 iscarried in a bearing 14 on a support 15.

The numeral 16 designates a stub shaft rotatably supported at one end ina bearing 17 carried by a support 17a, and at the other end on theframe. Fixed on the stub shaft 16 is a driving pinion 18 in mesh withthe gear 13. The stub shaft is further provided with a pulley 19 toaccommodate a power supply belt (not shown).

Within the frame the shaft 12 is provided with longitudinally spacedsets or pairs of bark removing dogs. Each dog comprises a pair of arms20 which have their ends oppositely and laterally curved and rounded toform blunt impact terminals 21. The inward ends of the members 29 aredisposed on opposite sides of the shaft 12 and bolted in positionthereon by means of suitable bolts 22.

The numeral 23 designates a conveyor trough in which the endlessconveyor 24 is arranged. The conveyor comprises longitudinally spacedsuitably constructed carrier elements 25 mounted on a single chain 26operated by the actuating drum 2'? which is fixed on the shaft 28 (seeFigtires 2 and which is supported in the right hand corner posts 9.

Supported by the side members 11 of the frame are horizontaltransversely disposed I-beams 29 which are longitudinally spaced. TheI-beams 29 are so located as to permit the dogs 20 to pass between themand above them as the arms 20 are rotated.

Supported on each I-beam 29 is a generally J-shaped log engaging andretaining element 30 which comprises a substantially horizontal portion31 resting upon and attached to the I-beam 29 from which proceeds anoutwardly and upwardly diverging portion 32 and 33 supported on cantedlongitudinal I-beams 34 carried between the corner posts 9 of the framestructure as seen in Figure 3. 32 proceeds an inwardly and upwardlydirected portion 35 which is substantially parallel to the portion 33.

The portion 33 of the elements 30 co-operate with the loading platform 7so as to form an inclined chute to facilitate introduction of the logsor blocks 8 into the machine.

Supported in bearings at the left or discharge end of the machine uponthe corner posts 9 is a crank shaft 36 (see Figure 2) whose throws 37rockably carry hanger straps 38 on a gravity closed gate 39. As the barkis removed from a block, the block may be pushed to the discharge end ofthe machine, the gate 39 opened, and the block discharged onto conveyor24 and carried thereby to the lathe (not shown) for cutting into veneeror to storage.

The operation of my machine is as follows: A log or veneer block to bede-barked is rolled from the platform into the cradle composed of theFrom the upper end of the portion J-shaped members 30. The poundingelements composed. of the arms 20 are then set into motion, and as theyrotate, the arms and the blunt ends 21 strike the log and macerate andloosen the bark therefrom and hurl the log against the portions 32 and35 of the cradle. The position of the portions 35 with respect to theportions 32 is such that as the log is hurled thereagainst the log isprevented from leaving the cradle and is at the same time rotated on itslongitudinal axis so as to bring different portions of the surfacethereof into position to be struck by the pounding elements. The barkseparated from the log by this action drops through the cradle into theconveyor by which it is conveyed away from the machine. As the debarkingof a log is completed in this manner, the gate 39 may be opened and thelog pushed from the cradle onto the conveyor by which it may be conveyedeither to storage or to the cutting machines.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages andnovel features of the invention will be readily apparent.

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the construction andin the combination and arrangement of the several parts provided thatsuch changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A log debarking device comprising a cradle composed of longitudinallyspaced transverse members, rotary hammer means operable between thetransverse members to act upon a log received in the cradle, for turningthe log and removing the bark therefrom, formations on said transversemembers against which. the log propelled by the hammer means and whichact to prevent the leg from leaving the cradle as a result of the actionof the hammer means and to aid in the turning of and removal of barkfrom the log, formations comprising an outwardly and upwardly angularTower portion and an upwardly and inwardly angular upper portion on thelower portion.

2. A log debarking device comprising a frame carrying longitudinallyspaced transverse members forming a cradle, rotary hammer means on theframe and operable between the transverse members to strike and throw alog deposited in the cradle, for turning the log and removing the barktherefrom, formations on said transverse members againstwhich the log ispropelled by the hammer means and which act to prevent the log fromleaving the cradle as a result of the action of the hammer means, saidhammer means being constructed to aid in the turning of and removal ofbark from the log, said hammer means having annular end portions turnedin the direction of rotation thereof, said transverse members beingV-shaped, and said formations comprising one side of the V shapedmembers, and an inwardly angular extension thereon.

3. A log debarking device comprising a cradle composed of longitudinallyspaced transverse members, rotary hammer means operable between thetransverse members to act upon a log received in the cradle, for turningthe log and removing the bark therefrom, formations on said transversemembers against which the log is propelled by the hammer means and whichact to prevent the log from leaving the cradle as a result of the actionof the hammer means and to aid in the turning of and removal of the barkfrom the log, a rotary shaft carrying said hammer means, a framecarrying said cradle and the shaft, a loading platform on the level withthe cradle for feeding a log into the cradle gravitationally, and aswingable gate in the frame closing one end of the cradle and adapted tobe opened for discharging a debarked log from the cradle.

4. A log debarlring device comprising a cradle composed oflongitudinally spaced transverse members, rotary hammer means operablebetween the transverse members to act upon a log received in the cradle,for turning the log and removing the bark therefrom, formations on saidtransverse members against which the log is propelled by the hammermeans and which act to prevent the log from leaving the cradle as aresult of the action of the hammer means and to aid in the turning ofand removal of the bark from the log, said formations comprising anoutwardly and upwardly angular lower portion and an upwardly andinwardly angular portion on the lower portion, and conveyor meanscarried by the frame to receive and convey the bark removed from a logas the bark falls between the transverse mem ber of the cradle, and forreceiving a debarked log as it is discharged from one end of the cradle.

5. A log debarking device comprising a frame carrying longitudinallyspaced transverse members forming a cradle, rotary hammer means on theframe and operable between the transverse members to strike and throw alog deposited in the cradle, overhanging portions on said transtoprevent the log from leaving the cradle when propelled by the hammermeans.

MURRAY SHARKEY.

